2009 in Touraine

Vouvray: small bunch of ripening Chenin Blanc

With over two thirds of August gone, this has certainly been a far better high summer than either 2007 and 2008 and so far has been the warmest since 2003. Last Friday I visited Laurant Bonneau, a promising new Vouvray producer whose first vintage was 2006. Vouvray has escaped the hail that has devastated some vineyards in the Cher Valley and also Menetou-Salon.

Vouvray: another small bunch of ripening Chenin

Bonneau's Chenin Blanc was looking good with the veraison beginning with the grapes being to turn translucent. There is still just over a month to go before the vintage starts and it is very much crossed fingers' time. As it has recently been very dry, a little rainfall would be beneficial but not a downpour.

Burnt grapes – sun damage

Although you need sunshine to ripen the grapes, it can be too fierce and burn unprotected bunches. This damage is probably very recent when temperatures have hit over 35˚C in the last week. Deleafing is now popular practice, especially on the side facing the morning sun which is less fierce.

Esca claims another vine

Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more prone to esca, the vine disease, but Chenin like other varieties is not immune as the dying vine above shows.